There is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him. --Mark 7:15Jesus said that the Jewish people of 2,000 years ago were placing too much emphasis on dietary practices, when they should be more concerned about what “come(s) out” of their mouths, i.e. their words and deeds. In Sunday School this is one of the first Biblical quotations taught to children, because the concept is easy to grasp: it’s silly, worrying about keeping the milk and meat separate, when it is more important not to swear or hit or be mean to other people.
If ever there were evidence that the United States is not a Christian nation, it is that we are preoccupied with everything that goes into our mouths. Each day I make sure that I am getting an adequate supply of vitamin E, vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, Omega 3, and fiber. I go easy on the fats and carbs and make sure occasionally to partake of the latest health foods such as red wine and chocolate. We believe that eating the right foods will make us younger, smarter, more athletic, better in the sack (awake and asleep), and even happier.
We ridicule the culinary practices of other cultures, such as Asians’ gustatory fondness for canines, without realizing how ridiculous our obsessions must seem to them. Lately, a universal consensus seems to be developing toward freshness. The United States is only beginning to catch up to the Chinese and Japanese, for whom the most desirable food was alive only a few minutes ago. In San Francisco's Chinatown you can buy food that you won’t find in your local Safeway. © 2004 Stephen Yuen
These fish are still gasping
Live turtles and frogs on Stockton Street
